Pirates, police and Brunel's tunnel
Wapping grew as a riverside community of sailors, boat builders and merchants. Execution Dock was where pirates were hanged, including Captain William Kidd in 1701. The Prospect of Whitby, which claims a history back to the sixteenth century, is one of several old pubs on the river.
In 1798, the world's first organised police force for the river was established here, and the Marine Policing Unit is still based in Wapping. The Thames Tunnel between Wapping and Rotherhithe, completed in 1843 by Marc and Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was the first tunnel known to have been built under a navigable river; it now carries Overground trains. In the 1980s, newspaper printing moved to Wapping, an episode remembered for its bitter industrial dispute.
What to see
- Wapping High Street – converted warehouses and river views.
- Prospect of Whitby and Town of Ramsgate – historic riverside pubs.
- St Katharine Docks – a marina beside Tower Bridge.
- Wapping Woods and Shadwell Basin – quiet green and water spaces.
Eating and atmosphere
Wapping is quieter than nearby Shoreditch and the City, with riverside pubs and restaurants around St Katharine Docks. It is pleasant for walks on weekend mornings.
A suggested half day
Start at St Katharine Docks, walk east along Wapping High Street, stop at the Town of Ramsgate and the Prospect of Whitby, and finish at Shadwell Basin.
Getting there
Wapping station is on the London Overground, and Tower Hill and Shadwell are nearby. Thames Clippers stop at Tower Pier.
Getting there with Mason & Green
London City Airport is usually close. Wapping High Street is narrow, with limited stopping places, so we agree a pickup point near your building.
See our London City Airport transfers page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Prospect of Whitby really London's oldest riverside pub?
It is one of the oldest, with a history stretching back to the sixteenth century.
How far is Wapping from London City Airport?
It is usually a short drive.
What was the Thames Tunnel?
A tunnel between Wapping and Rotherhithe completed in 1843 by the Brunels. It now carries London Overground trains.